UNION-ENDICOTT – The host Union-Endicott Tigers sunk their claws into the Norwich Purple Tornado this past Friday, to win their first game of the season when they defeated Norwich in a tight 62-61 win.

Down six points at the half, 34-28, Union-Endicott emerged flat in the second half to only post a mere nine points in the entire third period. However, the Tiger duo of Matt Polemeni and Tyler Maerki decided to turn the tide on the Tornado.

Polemeni and Maerki led the fourth period push for the Tigers, as Maerki scored 13 of his 17 total points in the fourth period, and Polemeni hit four free throws in the final minute. Polemeni would emerge the team leader in scoring, with 19 points on the day.

Down 46-37, Union-Endicott rallied in the fourth to rack up 25 points on Norwich to answer the call. It was Norwich's Tre Bonham – who happened to lead the team in scoring on the day at 22 points – who hit a 3-pointer that dragged Norwich from the depths, back into the game as they were down just two points in the final seconds.

It was then that Polemeni nailed the final nail in the coffin of Norwich, when he made two free throws to make it a four-point game with mere seconds left. With less than a second left in the game, the Norwich senior, Chris Jeffrey tried for some bonus points, a four point game, made a one point game when Jeffrey finished his solid night off hitting a 3-pointer to conclude the upset loss.

Jeffrey would finish second on the team in scoring behind Bonham, as he scored 14 points.

Next up for Norwich (7-2 overall) they will travel to Johnson City on Jan. 4, at 7:15 p.m. for their next action. Union-Endicott (1-7 overall) will travel to Horseheads on Tuesday as well.